Having trouble reading this email? View the web version in your browser.

Public Comment on LEED-ND Opens November 17

CNU calls on new urbanists to review and comment on the latest draft of the rating system

CNU has partnered with U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) and Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) to create LEED for Neighborhood Development (LEED-ND), a rating system to assess green neighborhood design. As the rating system approaches completion, the partners are opening it up for public comment beginning TODAY, Nov. 17, 2008. The public comment period will close Jan. 5, 2009. The final rating system will be balloted by CNU members in spring 2009 and is predicted to launch mid-2009.

“We now ask new urbanists to review this work to help ensure that the rating system follows the principles outlined in the Charter of the New Urbanism and reflects the best practices within the movement,” stated Susan Mudd, CNU Board member and LEED-ND Core Committee Vice-Chair. Earlier this year, the Core Committee and technical advisory groups revised the rating system to reflect what they learned from real world pilot projects.

Victor Dover, LEED-ND Core Committee and CNU board member, stressed the importance of reviewing the draft. “Since we will not have another opportunity to test the recent changes against projects, it is essential that new urbanists comment on the current draft and continue to improve on our work.”

“CNU relies on the expertise of its members to advance the practice of New Urbanism,” explained CNU President and CEO John Norquist. “This public comment period is one of those opportunities and we call on our members to contribute.” Check out CNU’s LEED-ND initiative page for more on the latest draft, pilot projects, and commenting information.

USGBC is hosting the online comment form on their website. To submit your comments, visit the LEED Rating Systems Draft page. After a simple sign-in, members of the public can comment on specific prerequisites and credits. The Core Committee will be reviewing all comments submitted—the more targeted and concise the recommendation, the better.

To remove your email address from future CNU e-Updates, please reply to cnuinfo@cnu.org with UNSUBSCRIBE in the subject line.

Congress for the New Urbanism
140 S. Dearborn St., Ste. 310
Chicago, IL 60603, USA
TEL 312.551.7300
FAX 312.346.3323